Jan 10, 2018

John J. “Biff” Pappas, 58, a 33-year Coraopolis resident, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, January 9, 2018, following December hip surgery.

He was born April 16, 1959, in Washington, a son of the late Joseph and Mary Marcus Pappas.

Mr. Pappas was the husband of Roseanne Volante Pappas; beloved father of Andrew (Kristen) Pappas of Imperial and Elana (Daniel) Haley of Jacksonville, Fla.; loving brother of Cindy (Bernie) Blake of Bloomfield, Mickey (Anna) Pappas of Mt. Lebanon and J.R. (Jill) Pappas of Peters Township; son-in-law of Lisa and the late Anthony Volante Sr.; and brother-in-law of John and Anthony Volante Jr. Also surviving are aunts and uncles from New Castle and Ambridge and nieces and nephews.

A 1978 graduate of Burgettstown High School, he was an extraordinary football player with a promising career, until an injury during his senior year. He also bordered on semi-pro in bowling.

An outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, Mr. Pappas loved taking long rides in his beloved truck.

For 34 years, he worked in the “family business” of Anthony’s Original, starting out as a deli clerk and moving up to a driver. He was an integral part of the business and was well-trained and groomed by his father-in-law for the position of buying, which he took over when Anthony Volante Sr. passed.

Little known by others, Mr. Pappas loved blues music and would often play his harmonica. At the time of his death, he was designing a new Chopper and sporting two new tattoos, while looking forward to putting his hip surgeries behind him. His dream was going for some long rides on his new bike.

Mr. Pappas, a faithful man, was strong, kind and gentle. Family was everything to him, and his children were his pride and joy. His loved ones will always carry him in their hearts.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Copeland Funeral Home, 867 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 12. A luncheon will follow at noon in Carmody’s Grille, Pittsburgh.

The family is accepting flowers or donations may be made in his name to one of Mr. Pappas’ favorite charities: Wounded Warriors Project.